The New Lawn - the road snaking North/South is Nympsfield Road, which you'll approach the ground from.

Although Forest Green Rovers are regarded as being the new kids on the block, in terms of their profile, the roots of football in Forest Green go back a long way. They were formed in 1889, and as with many of the opposition profiles this site carries, there is a religious theme to their start-up - the Reverend EJH Peach is the man credited as having formed the club.

They've undergone a series of name changes over the years. In 1889 they were simply Forest Green, but in 1893 they became Forest Green Rovers. By 1894 they became Nailsworth Association Football Club, but when that club folded, there was an immediate restart in 1898 under the Forest Green Rovers name, with Nailsworth Thursday being consumed under that name as well. By 1911 they merged with Nailsworth to become Nailsworth and Forest Green United, but after the First World War had ended, they reverted to Forest Green Rovers again. From 1919 until 1988 they stuck with that name, but from then until 1992 they tried to answer the question of 'Where the hell is Forest Green?' by retitling themselves as Stroud FC. By 1992, they decided they preferred good old Forest Green Rovers and have stuck with that since.

For the vast majority of its years, Forest Green (or its various guises) has spent its time playing at County League level - they were founder members of the Mid-Gloucestershire League. Between their formation and 1968 they also played in the Dursley & District League, the Stroud & District League, the North Gloucestershire League, the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League and the Stroud Premier League. From 1968 until 1975 they were founder members of the Gloucestershire County League.

It's only once they reached 1975 that their profile began to be noticeable. They joined the Hellenic League Premier Division, and by the 1981-82 season they were both Hellenic League Champions and FA Vase winners, defeating Rainworth Miners Welfare at the old Wembley Stadium. At the end of that season, their position as Champions saw them promoted into the Southern League Midland Division. In 1994, Frank Gregan became their manager, and after switching to the Southern Division of the same pyramid level, they gained a double promotion, taking them through the Southern League Premier Division and straight into the Conference.

From 1998 onwards, they were mainstays of the Conference's national division. In fact until their 2016-17 promotion, they were the longest serving members of that league. That wasn't always without problems - in 2004-05, 2009-10 and 2010-11 they came dangerously close to relegation. They were reprieved twice, with Northwich Victoria and Salisbury City demoted out of the division after stadium and financial irregularities - situations that raised eyebrows amongst football supporters given that Colin Peake was until 2012 their Football Secretary, as well as also being Director of the Football Conference (now the National League) - he has since become the League's Press Officer.

The season of their last bit of flirting with relegation was also the year that they were taken over by current owner Dale Vince. His 2010-11 takeover saw him become Chairman in 2010. He is the owner of Ecotricity - a green/renewable energy company based in Stroud. Some of his changes to the club have been sensible in that he has installed solar panels and a solar-powered robot grass mower that would both make the football club more 'green' and cut down on their operating costs.

Other changes have been more controversial - in February 2011, Forest Green's players were banned from eating meat at the ground. This worked until a group of them were snapped by the Paparazzi in May 2016, tucking into some of Gregg's finest bakery products in Stroud High Street in May 2016, creating national headlines. Vince also turned all of the club's teabars and the social club into Vegan-only outlets. Even the beer and cider on sale is certified as not containing any animal products (ruling out things like isinglass and gelatin).

The other major change that Vince has introduced has been Forest Green's wage bill. For the 2013-14 season they recorded debts of £2.5 million, whilst for the 2014-15 season they lost £2,928,709. For their last set of accounts for the 2015-16 season, they recorded losses of £2,469,374. Their 2015-16 season wage bill was £2,146,999, which was an increase of £219,624. Vince's energy company might be sustainable, but losing close to £8 million in three seasons makes Ru$hden and Diamonds' spending look like Poundland. Those losses are currently being underwritten by new share investment via Ecotricity, but as we saw with Ru$hden's Max Griggs and his Dr Martens Shoes, that can only be done for as long as the parent company and owner is able to sustain it.

Vince's ambitions don't just lie with players wages though. From around a year after their formation, Forest Green had played at The Lawn stadium in Nympsfield Road. In 2006, that stadium was demolished and replaced by housing, and the club have now moved 400 yards further up the road to The New Lawn, with the gambit being that it gave them a Football League standard ground. Despite the current size of their ground currently meeting their needs, in July 2015, Vince announced plans for a £100 million sporting complex situated close to the M5 at Junction 13, that would also include another new Forest Green stadium. In line with his ethics, he plans it to be an 'Eco Park' with the stadium itself made entirely out of wood. The plan is still for an initial capacity of just 5,000 but for it to be expandable to around double that size, with Vince hoping that he can propel the club into the Championship.

At the end of the 2016-17 season, he achieved the first step in that, with Forest Green getting promoted into the Football League via the play-offs at the third time of asking. Speaking immediately after their Wembley win over Tranmere Rovers, Vince declared that "Getting into League One will be easy" - referring to the National League's single automatic promotion slot, but perhaps with a lack of awareness of the difference in finances at Football League level, and that now his club will have to be bound by the Salary Cap Management Protocol (aka Financial Fair Play) rules adopted by the Football League. In due course, we will see how Forest Green adapt to that new environment, and how "easy" getting to the next level turns out to be.

The away allocation is on the West Terrace and is entirely STANDING ONLY – there are no seats available. The West Terrace is an uncovered standing side terrace at the moment – Forest Green are currently building a covered seating area, but it won’t be ready in time for our fixture. Capacity is around 1,150 although feedback from other fans is that this is an optimistic capacity as it's not a steep terrace. You are advised to bring suitable clothing if the weather forecast is bad, as the ground is at the top of a steep hill which catches the weather. Entry on the day will be via Turnstiles 9 and 10.

Tickets will remain on sale from Huish Park until Thursday at midday. Thereafter you will need to purchase from the Forest Green end. If you buy on the day, then you will pay £2.00 extra for Adults/Seniors tickets, and £1.00 extra for Young Persons and Juniors.

Disabled Info:

There is a very limited amount accessible seating for Disabled Supporters and Wheelchair Bays, in the East Stand. This must be booked in advance by contacting the FGR Reception as early as possible, as these seats will quickly sell out. Call the FGR reception on 01453 834 860. 9.00a.m. to 3.00p.m., Monday to Friday.

Parking at the stadium is reserved for pre-booked guests only (hospitality, Blue Badge holders). If you’re a Blue Badge holder or need a space close to the stadium for accessibility reasons, please contact the FGR reception to book a space in advance. Please note that these spaces are fully booked for every game.

Forest Green Rovers is situated in the suburbs of Nailsworth - a small town with a population of 6,000 on the edge of the Cotswolds in South Gloucestershire. The ground is situated just off Nympsfield Road, a short distance from the main A46 Bath-Stroud road. It's at the top of a very steep hill.

By Road

From the M5: This is probably the best route for coach drivers, or for those who want a simple motorway route. Leave the M5 at Junction 13, take the A419 towards Stroud, then after 5 miles take the A46 towards Bath as far as Nailsworth. In the centre of Nailsworth, just after the Clock Tower, take the first right (signposted Forest Green and Nympsfield). The Lawn is about half a mile up the hill and on the left.

From the M4: This is also the route you'll want if you decide to go entirely via A-Roads to the ground - e.g. if you live in the Bath area of Somerset. Leave/cross the M4 at Junction 18, take the A46 towards Stroud for 15 miles to Nailsworth. In the centre of Nailsworth, just before the Clock Tower, take the left turn (signposted Forest Green and Nympsfield). The Lawn is about half a mile up the hill and on the left.

Parking

There is some limited parking near the ground, priced £5.00 - this is in the local school car park. There's also some local housing side streets close by but as FGR are now in the Football League expect this to be harder to obtain, the closer you get to kick-off. You can park in Nailsworth town centre fairly easily free of charge, but be warned that it's a 15 minute walk, and you're going up a very steep hill. Head for the Clock Tower and then head up the road signposted Forest Green and Nympsfield. Then when you reach the top, curse yourself that you didn't go to the gym more often.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Stroud. It's over 5 miles away and so you'll need further transport to get you to the ground. See the 'By Bus' or 'By Taxi' bits.

To do it by train from Yeovil is pretty horrible - you'll need to leave from Pen Mill and change at Bath Spa and at Swindon to get to Stroud and it will take you anything from 2hrs 36mins to 3hrs 15mins to get there. You can do it from Yeovil Junction, but it appears to take longer, and still needs two changes.
Check the National Rail Enquiries site for details of services.

By Bus

Bus services run from Stroud's Merrywalks Shopping Centre, which is three minutes walk from the Railway Station. You'll need a No.63 service which takes approximately 30 minutes, with the service running roughly every 30 minutes. Check the full timetable by heading here.

By Taxi

A selection of Stroud taxi companies can be found here.
A selection of Nailsworth taxi companies can be found here.

Forest Green, under their ownership of Dale Vince, have made a big deal about their owner's beliefs. They're eco-friendly, and they're also entirely vegan which rules all meat and dairy-based products off the menu either in the ground or the clubhouse. You'll also find that Forest Green itself doesn't have pubs, so if you do want more mainstream food, then you'll need to claim it in Nailsworth itself, or do without around the match. Inside the ground you'll find fajitas, veggie burgers and something called a Q-pie (made from Leek and Quorn).

Club Bar :

Home supporters get access to the Green Man, which is a pub-style social club, but this is no longer accessible to away fans. Instead, away supporters will have the use of a marquee (That sounds familiar!) located at the front of the ground. The bar opens three hours before kick-off and will serve a range of lager, cider, wine and soft drinks until kick-off.

Local Pubs :

George Inn: Town centre pub serving three beers in Stroud Tom Long, Timothy Taylor Landlord and one guest. Food is evenings only. Feedback from other fans is that they're very welcoming of football people. Opening hours are 11.00a.m. until 11.00p.m.
George Inn, Higher Newmarket Road, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0RF. Tel: 01453 833228. Map:Click Here.

Old Lodge Inn: Note this pub is only useful if you're driving, as it's situated in the nearby village of Minchinhampton. A food oriented pub that also does Marston's Pedigree and Thwaites Original for beers. It's a 16th Century Inn with a large garden, so if you want a meal away from the football crowd, it's worth going out of your way, even if it puts you on the wrong side of town for Forest Green. Opening hours are 11.00a.m. - 3.00p.m. and then 6.00p.m. until 11.00p.m.
Old Lodge Inn, Minchinhampton Common, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, GL6 9AQ. Tel: 01453 832047. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

The Britannia: Town centre pub that specialises in food - they serve at both lunchtime and the evening with a break in the middle - conveniently taking in the usual matchday kick-off time. Food specialises in pizzas, although they do a separate main menu which is a slightly pricey gastropub offering, rather than a pie'n'chips menu. Two fixed beers in Hook Norton Hooky and Wadworths 6X. Opening hours are 11.00a.m. until 11.00p.m
The Britannia, Cossack Square, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0DG. Tel: 01453 832501. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

Village Inn: This is a self-brew real ale pub situated in the heart of Nailsworth. Beers come courtesy of Keep Brewing which was formerly under the name of the Nailsworth Brewery. Because of the recent takeover it's not clear what beers and how many they serve. However their Facebook page implies they have two rotating guests, along with presumably some of their own stuff from the four pumps available. Food is only served in the evening. Opening hours are from noon until 11.00p.m. with an hour extension on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Village Inn, Bath Road, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, GL6 0HH. Tel: 01453 835715. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

Weighbridge Inn: A second pub situated in Minchinhampton. Not good unless you're driving as you're on the wrong side of town for Forest Green. But good if you want a village pub/restaurant. Food is served all day. They do four beers, one of which is named as Gloucester Old Spot, whilst they say they aim to source the others from a 50 mile radius as guests. Opening hours from 12.00 noon until 11.00p.m.
Weighbridge Inn, 15 Iron Mill Cottages, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, GL6 9AL. Tel: 01453 832520. Website:Click Here. Map:Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Low, their tongue is less of a local dialect and more of a foreign language. And one in which less people can converse than use Cornish. It's West Country m'dear, but not as we know it.

Top-Tip :

Have a full-on eighteen ounce fillet steak and mixed grill before you step into the ground, or be prepared for a meat-free day.